Aston Villa plans special delivery from Ashley Young and Gareth Barry

Martin O’Neill’s dead-ball experts are set to provide a tough test for Liverpool tomorrow

The return to Newcastle of Kevin Keegan, based not on results but "because of the style of football he brings", according to the club's chairman Chris Mort, reopens debates about aesthetics and the game. Loveliness is subjective. Some see a building and revel in the expression of the architect, others look at the brickwork to see if the pointing is up to scratch. Celebrating set pieces may be the equivalent of judging great paintings by their frames but Martin O'Neill can seemingly make anything into a marvel. Every time he skips down the touchline as Martin Laursen wheels off after forcing home another Ashley Young free kick, it takes a Birmingham City fan to feel not a bit of the joy.

Aston Villa arrive at Anfield tomorrow on a royal train. They are set-piece kings of the Premier League, scoring just under half their goals from dead-ball situations. Villa are